Potato-digger



{No Medal.)

J.D.PERRY.

POTATO BIGGER. No. 388,911. Patented Sept. 4, 1888.

llnrrnn Spares Parana @rrrca JUDSON D. PERRY, ()F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

POTATO- BIGGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 388,911, datedfieptember 4, 1888.

Application filed November l2, 1887. Serial No, 254,970. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JUDSON D. PERRY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Detroit, in the county of \Vayne and State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful ln'iprovcnients in PotatoDiggers, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in potatodiggers;and the invention consists in the peculiar devices for digging andseparating the potatoes from the ground and vines, all as more fullyhereinafter described.

In the drawings which accompany this specification, Figure l is avertical longitudinal section. Fig. 2 is a plan with some of the partsremoved. Fig. 3 is a vertical central crossseotion, and Fig. 4 is aperspective view of the spur-link.

A represents the two wheels upon which the device is supported and drawnover the ground by applying draft to the pole B.

G is a frame constructed to support the operating parts of the device,and this frame is supported upon the axle D.

E Eare the sides of the elevator-frame, supported in an inclinedposition between the side bars of the frame 0, and in this frame arejournaled transversely the shafts Fand G, the former at the lower endand the latter at the upper end. Each of these shafts carries aseries ofchain-wheels, H and H, respectively, over which passes the chain apronI, portions of the links of which are provided with the spurs a. Theupper shaft, G, carries upon one end a gear-wheel, J, which meshes withthe gear wheel K, secured to one of the drive-wheels. That portion ofthe endless chain apron which forms the upper run between thechain-wheels H and H is preferably supported by means of the grating L,which is secured between the sides 1+] E.

At the rear end of the endless apron, and secured in suitable hearingson the shaft M, is the reel N, the arms of which extend into proximityof the chain apron, and underneath this reel is the slatted chute O, andbelow the chute O is another chute, P, the incline of which can bechanged by means of the standard Q, and this chute l is also slatted orotherwise formed with interstices, and dis charges into the transversetrough R, which spouts to the side of the machine.

The sides E are journaled either upon the axle D or upon the shaft G, sothat the whole elevating device may be raised and lowered from theground. In the drawings I show the frame E supported ontrunnions uponthe shaft D. Said trunnions may be formed upon the inner ends of thebearings b, in which the shaft D is journaled. By means of the chains Sor their equivalents I then connect the forward end of the elevator to asuitable device for winding and unwinding the chain for the purpose ofraising and lowering the forward end of the elevator from or to theground, and by means of a suitable lever, T, I enable the op erator toraise and lower the elevator while seated.

In practice, the device being arranged and constructed as shown anddescribed, the lower end of the elevator-frame,with its chainroll ers H,is intended to project into the ground, and the rapid motion given tothe chain apron by means of the drive-connection described enables thespurs on the chain apron to out or tear away the ground in front of thelower end of the elevator fast enough to clear a pathway for itsprogress, and the ground, together with the potatoes thus torn away, iscarried upon the upper face of the chain apron. During such travel theground is sifted through the meshes of the chain apron and allowed tofall to the ground, while the meshes are small enough to retain thepotatoes and carry them to the top of the elevator, together with thevines and other debris. Here they meet with the revolving reel N, whichtravels in the same direction, and besides suffering violentshaking,which loosens all potatoes which may still cling to the vines,throws the vines backward and permits them to fall on the grating O orto the ground. The potatoes fall upon the lower grating, P, whichloosens the dirt which may still cling to them and permits it to drop tothe gronnd,while the potatoes them selves roll into the trough R, thespout of which directs them to the ground or into bags, which may besupported upon a suitable platform on the side of the machine.

It will be seen that by means of the devices described the ground getsthoroughly broken up in digging, entirely unlike the action of the plowsin other constructions, which often so compact the ground, especiallywhen damp or wet, that the separating is impossible. With my device Inever cutoff large lumps of ground, but the ground is broken offin smallparticles and spread out over the apron, thus giving the fullestopportunity for the ground to fall through. The spurs a are dull and canneither injure the potatoes nor afford any opportunity for the weeds andvines to clog thereon. Suitable scraping devices to keep thechain-wheels clear from dirt are arranged when necessary, and theforward end of the frame E made divider-shaped to clear a pas sage forthe lower end of the elevator without excessive friction. The way Isupport the elevator thus partially balances it upon the axle; but theshaft G may be made the fulcrum on which the elevator rises and lowerswith equally good results. It is not necessary to space the teeth veryclosely upon the apron, as the apron itself can take hold of a portionof the ground to clear the passage. By giving the apron ajolting motionthe links will clear themselves readily of all ground adhering thereto.

I deem it important that the elevatorirame be journaled on the axlesubstantially at its center, for by this arrangement the weight isevenly distributed and but little power is required to tilt theelevating devices,which can be readily done from the drivers seatWithout depressing or elevating the frame of the machine. The standardQ, supporting the grating P, is formed with a slot formed on the are ofa circle struck from the pivot of said grating, so that as the elevatoris raised from the ground, should the rear end of it come in contactwith said grating, the latter will fold down out of the way withoutinjury to any of the parts. signed to be adjusted to different inclinesto correspond with the varying sizes of the potatoes.

What I claim as myinvention is- In a potato-digging machine, the combination, with a two-wheeled supporting-frame, a draft attachment of theelevator-frame pivotally secured in an inclined position between thesupporting-frame and journaled near its longitudinal center on the axle,raising and lowering devices for said frame actuated by a hand-lever inproximity to the drivers seat, and imperforate sides to said frameterminating at their lower ends in dividers, of the endless digging andelevating apron provided with spurs, a reel carried by a shaft revolvingin the same direction as the shaft of the elevator at the rear end ofthe elevator, and provided with arms to separate the vines, an upperinclined grating, a lower inclined grating, the slotted standard Q,supporting said lower grating and adjustable, as described, and acollector-trough, all substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses,this 26th day of October, 1887.

J UDSON D. PERRY.

Witnesses:

J AS. WHITTEMORE, H. S. SPRAGUE.

In operation this grating is de-

